Bathtub seat



H. M. HIGGINS BATHTUB SEAT Sept. 1, 1936.

Filed Jan. 2'7, 1936 I II 1/!!! INVENTOR. HofiAcsMJ-Imams.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 1, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claim.

This invention relates particularly to swivel or swinging seats for bathtubs for entering and leaving a tub, and to bath tub seats generally.

The object of my invention is to provide a bath 5 tub seat by means ofwhich a person may safely enter and leave a tub.

Another object is to provide such a seat wherein a person may sit whilebathing.

Another object is to provide such a seat that may be used as a chair orthe like in the room when swung over the side of the tub.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a seatfor bath tubs that is strong and yet simple in construction andoperation and that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better under stood from the following detailed descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my invention swivelly or swinginglysecured ona bath tub, the seat being positioned over the tub and dotted linesshowing same swung outwardly over the edge of said tub.

Figure 2 is a partial vertical section of one embodiment of the devicetaken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a partial vertical section of a modifled embodiment of theinvention.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section of the supporting sleeve shown inFigure 3 and taken on line 4-4 of said figure.

Referring more particularly to the drawing reference numeral Ill,Figures 1 and 2, indicates a bath tub. Positioned on an end edge of thetub I is a bracket comprising a support memher I I having a verticalopening therein and hav ing laterally extending flanges 42 and a bottommember I3 resting on the edge of said tub. Flanges l2 are provided withholes in which are received screws I4 which are screwed through wall l5and into studding l6. Arm l1. preferably a solid iron rod, has avertical portion 18 pivotally received in the vertical opening in thesupport member I I. The arm I! extends horizontally outward of thevertical portion l8, then downwardly and forwardly, and horizontallyagain adjacent the free swinging end which is turned vertically upwardat It! and on which a collar 20 is secured by a pin 2 I. The collar isprovided with an integral annular disk 22 at its upper end on which seat23 is secured by screws 24. The bottom of the seat rests on said annulardisk and held thereon by said screws 24. The seat preferably has sides25 and a rounded back portion 26. The lower side 21 of the horizontalportion of arm ll. adjacent the free swinging end there- 7 of, isadapted to swing in a horizontal plane above 8 the horizontal plane ofthe top 28 of the tub sides.

Referring to Figure 3 the tub is also indicated by reference numeral l0.Horizontal portion 3| of the tub and is provided with a vertical open-10 ing 32 through which is received the threaded upper end of a verticalstabilizing sleeve 33. The lower end of the sleeve is also threaded andis threadably received in a collar 34 closed at its lower end by a wall35. Adjacent its lower end the collar 34 is provided with an annularflange 36 secured to the floor or other support for the tub by screws31. A nut 38, threadably received on the upper end of said sleeve isscrewed tight against the horizontal portion 3| of the tub to firmlysecure the upper end of said sleeve and prevent any displacementthereof.

A swivel or swinging seat supporting arm 39 is provided with a verticalportion 40 pivotally received in sleeve 33, the lower end of saidportion 40 resting on the lower end wall 35 of the collar 34, said lowerend wall 35 serving as a bearing for the lower end of said verticalportion 40. The portion of the arm 39 adjacent the vertical portion 40thereof rests on the nut 38 which serves as a bearing therefor on whichthe arm may swing. A seat support 4|, secured to the bottom 42 of theseat by suitable screws 43, is provided with a horizontal sleeve 44which receives the free swinging end of the arm 39 therein, said arm 33being secured therein by screws 45. The seat, besides having a bottom42, is provided with sides 46 and a rounded back 41 formed integrallywith the sides 46, said seat being similar in construction to the seatshown in Figures 1 and 2.

The arm 39 supports the seat above the horizontal plane of the top 48 ofthe tub to permit said seat being swung over the edge of the tub side.In using my invention the seat is swung outwardly over the side of thetub, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, and the user sits therein. Hethen puts his feet into the tub and pulls the seat over the tub, fromwhich position he may assume a standing position, or he may bathe whileremaining in the seat.

Danger of slipping and falling in getting in and out of the tub iseliminated with this invention which is particularly advantageous forinvalids although it is adapted for anyone desiring to use same.- Shouldthe person using my invention remain seated while bathing substantiallyall danger or injury from falling therein is eliminated.

The seat may also be used'as a chair, when swung outwardly over the edgeof the tub, thus providing a convenient bath room chair as well as aseat for entering and leaving the tub.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing, description, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing any of its material advantages.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. In combination, a bath tub adapted to rest on a supporting base, saidtub having a substantially horizontal top edge with an opening therein,a vertical sleeve having its ends externally threaded, the upper end ofsaid sleeve extending through said opening, a collar adapted to besecured to a base on which the tub rests, said collar being internallythreaded and threadably receiving the lower threaded end of the sleeve.a nut threadably received on the upper threaded end of the sleeve, ahorizontally swingable arm having a vertical portion swivelly receivedin the sleeve, and a seat on the free swinging end of the arm, said seatbeing adapted to be swung over the edge of the tub by swinging movementof the arm.

2. In combination, a bath tub adapted to rest on a supporting base, saidtub having a substantially horizontal top edge with an opening therein,a vertical sleeve having its ends externally threaded, the upper end ofsaid sleeve extending through said opening, a collar adapted to besecured to a base on which the tub rests, said collar being internallythreaded and threadably receiving the lower threaded end of the sleeve,a wall closing the lower end of the collar, a nut threadably received onthe upper threaded end of the sleeve, a horizontally swingable armhaving 8.

vertical portion rotatably received in the sleeve,

the lower end of said vertical portion resting on the wall closing thelower end of the collar, and the portion or the arm adjacent thevertical portion thereof resting on the top side oi. the nut, and a seaton the free swinging end of the arm,

said seat being adapted to be swung over the edge of the tub when aswinging movement is imparted to said arm.

3. In combination, a bath tub, a support associated with the top edge ofthe tub, an arm swivelly received in said support, and a seat secured tothe free swinging end of said arm, said seat being adapted to swingfreely at all times in a substantially horizontal plane above thehorizontal plane or the top of the tub.

4. In combination, a bath tub, a seat, and means associated with theseat and the top edge 01' the tub and adapted to permit said seat to befreely swung over the edge of said tub at all times.

5. In combination, a bath tub, a vertical sleeve associated with the topedge of the tub, a horizontal arm having a vertical portion swivellyreceived in the sleeve, and a. chair on the free swinging end of saidarm, said chair being adapted to be swung in a substantially horizontalplane above the horizontal plane of the tub at all times.

6. In combination, a bath tub, a vertical supporting sleeve associatedwith thetop edge of the tub, means for rigidly securing thesleeve in avertical position, a. horizontally extending arm having a. verticalportion swivelly received in the sleeve, and a seat secured to the freeswinging end of the arm, said arm being adapted to be freely swung atall times over the edge of the tub.

7. In a swinging bath tub seat, a support adapted to be associated withthe top edge of a bath tub, an arm having one end pivotally associatedwith the support, said arm, being adapted to be freely swung at alltimes ina substantially horizontal plane, and a seat secured to the freeend of the arm.

HORACE M. HIGGINS.

